Having to park a (likely very expensive) electric vehicle for months on end can be a source of worry and stress for many owners. However, as you’ll soon find out, storing an EV long-term isn’t only relatively easy, but as long as you follow the right steps, you’ll be able to do so without affecting your car’s performance at all.
In this article, I’ll take you through a few simple but crucial steps you’ll need to take to safely store your electric vehicle long-term. So, keep reading if you want to learn the best ways to maintain your car through extended periods of inactivity.
1. Prepare Your Car for Storage
The most important part of the process is preparing your car for storage. First of all, you’ll want to make sure that your vehicle is clean and free from any debris that might have been collected under its component throughout its use.
If you’d like to specifically find out How To Store Tesla Long Term, then check out this article. It might answer your question better.
However, if you’ve taken on the cleaning yourself, it’s crucial to dry it out completely before storing it in your garage. You can imagine what excessive moisture levels could do to your car’s mechanical and electrical components.
It’s also crucial to use a high-quality car cover.
Don’t forget to inflate the tires and change the lubricants (if applicable).
2. Pick the Right Environment
Now that your car is ready to be stored, all you have to do is make sure that the environment it’ll be left in for months on end doesn’t subject it to any elements that may deteriorate its components.
Ideally, you’ll want to store your electric vehicle in an indoor, dry, and cool environment. Don’t forget to choose an area that provides access to as many power outlets as possible, as you’ll be needing them.
Furthermore, you’ll want to opt for a designated area where there won’t be much foot traffic, as the smallest accident could deteriorate your vehicle’s longevity.
Even though you’ll likely be using a waterproof cover, make sure there aren’t any leaks contributing to excessive moisture levels in the area. Humidity can be your EV’s worst enemy when it comes to long-term storage.
3. Ensure the High-Voltage Battery Has at Least a 10% Charge
Although you might be tempted to drain your car’s battery entirely (after all, you won’t be using it), doing so could be one of the worst things you can do regarding its maintenance.
Your high-voltage battery should have at least a 10% charge at all times. However, you don’t want this level to exceed 80%. Any charge outside this range could negatively affect the functioning of your lithium-ion battery.
Check out this somewhat related article that I wrote called: “Should I Keep My Tesla Model 3 Plugged In?”
Keeping it charged between 10%-80% will allow you to safely leave your car for months on end without supervision without having to worry about its components not being able to work.
The ideal charge level for your specific model can widely vary depending on brand and weather conditions. However, as long as you stay within the recommended range, you’ll likely have nothing to worry about.
| Brand | Ideal Charge Percentage |
| Tesla | 50% |
| Nissan | 20%-80% |
| Ford | 40% |
| Chevrolet | 50% |
| Fiat | 60%-80% |
4. Prevent Wear on the 12-Volt Battery
While the high-voltage battery needs to be charged and running at all times, when it comes to its 12-volt counterpart, you might want to take a different approach.
Due to its limited capacity, this component could become worn out quickly if you leave it plugged into a stored car for an indefinite amount of time.
Therefore, there are two approaches you can choose between to preserve the battery’s health and longevity. You can either disconnect its negative terminal altogether or charge it using a trickle charger.
Otherwise, given that some accessories will still be running even when the car is not in use, the 12-volt battery will quickly deplete, leading to an inevitable deterioration of its quality and performance.
Pro Tip:
Sentry Mode may keep your Tesla from sleeping; therefore, you can lose anything up to 7% of your battery a day because of it. Cabin Overheat protection has some effect on the battery as well depending on a few external factors. If you leave Stand By on and turn on the Smart Summon feature, it will keep your car from sleeping. This might help if you have some battery drain issues that you’re unaware of.
Check out all my Tesla Pro Tips
5. Unplug Any Battery-Draining Accessories
As mentioned, battery-draining accessories are the biggest components that could affect your battery’s quality during long periods of inactivity.
For this reason, any non-essential attachments that deplete your batteries need to be disconnected immediately.
Depending on your car model, the nature and necessity of your accessories can vary, so make sure to consult with the owner’s manual beforehand.
On a similar note, I also wrote a related article called Phantom Drain in Tesla Model 3: What It Is and How To Avoid It. You’ll know exactly what to do when you have phantom drain issues. Check it out!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Electric Car Batteries Drain When Not in Use?
How Long Can an Electric Car Sit Without Charging?
EV Speedy’s Take
If you’re getting ready to go on holiday or live in a place that gets very cold over the winter, feel free to put your EV away without worry.
That said, you should make sure that your car has a decent charge level (think 60-80%) before storage, as this will allow you to store it for months on end without needing a recharge.
